Trash can assembly

Abstract

Various trash can assembly embodiments are disclosed. The trash can assembly can include a body, a lid, an actuation system, and an active dislodgement or return system. The active dislodgement or return system can be configured to facilitate dislodging the trash can assembly from a surrounding environment, such as a wall. The active dislodgement or return system can include a dynamic member having a frame, a foot movably coupled to the frame, and a spring applying a force on the foot. When an actuation force is removed from the actuation system, the dynamic member can apply a force against the surrounding environment, such as a floor, to move the body relative to the surrounding environment.

The following is claimed: 
     
       1. A trash can assembly comprising:
 a body comprising an upper sidewall and a lower base, the body having a front region and a rear region; 
 a lid configured to transition between a closed position and an open position; 
 an actuation system comprising a pedal and a linkage, the actuation system configured to move the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to an actuation force applied on the pedal; and 
 an active dislodgement or return system comprising a dynamic member associated with the front region of the body and a static member associated with the rear region of the body, the active dislodgement or return system configured to facilitate returning the trash can assembly to an original position or alignment, the dynamic member comprising:
 a frame associated with the lower base of the body; 
 a foot movably coupled to the frame, the foot being rotatable between an extended position and a retracted position, the foot configured to engage a floor of a surrounding environment in both the extended and retracted positions; and 
 a biasing member applying a force on the foot to urge the foot into the extended position, 
 
 wherein the trash can assembly is configured such that:
 in response to the actuation force being applied to the pedal, the foot transitions from the extended position to the retracted position; and 
 in response to the actuation force being released from the pedal, the foot transitions from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby moving the body relative to the surrounding environment. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The trash can assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the foot is configured to translate between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     
     
       3. A trash can assembly configured for use on a floor and to automatically dislodge from a wall, the trash can assembly comprising:
 a body comprising a front, a rear, and a lower base, the rear being configured to be positioned adjacent the wall; 
 a lid coupled with the body, the lid configured to move between a closed position and an open position; 
 an actuation system comprising an actuator and a linkage, the actuation system configured to rotate the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to an actuation force applied to the actuator; and 
 a dynamic member coupled to a lower base of the body, the dynamic member comprising:
 a foot configured to rotate relative to the body between an extended position and a retracted position and configured to engage the floor in both the extended and retracted positions; and 
 a biasing member applying a force on the foot to urge the foot into the extended position; 
 the dynamic member being configured such that:
 when the actuation force is applied to the actuator, the foot transitions from the extended position to the retracted position, and 
 after the actuation force is released from the actuator, the foot transitions from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby pushing on the floor and moving the body relative to the wall. 
 
 
 
     
     
       4. The trash can assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the dynamic member is coupled to the lower base at or proximate a front side of the body. 
     
     
       5. The trash can assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the foot is configured to translate relative to the body. 
     
     
       6. The trash can assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the biasing member comprises a spring. 
     
     
       7. The trash can assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a static member configured to engage the floor. 
     
     
       8. A trash can assembly comprising:
 a body comprising an upper sidewall and a lower base; 
 a lid coupled with the body, the lid configured to move between a closed position and an open position; 
 an actuation system comprising an actuator and a linkage, the actuation system configured to rotate the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to an actuation force applied to the actuator; and 
 an active dislodgement or return system comprising a dynamic member coupled to a lower base of the body, the dynamic member comprising a spring, 
 the dynamic member being rotatable, relative to the body, from a retracted position to an extended position to facilitate dislodging the body from a surrounding environment. 
 
     
     
       9. The trash can assembly of  claim 8 , wherein movement of the dynamic member from the retracted position to the extended position is configured to move the body relative to the surrounding environment. 
     
     
       10. The trash can assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the dynamic member is configured to transition from the extended position to the retracted position in response to the actuation force being applied on the actuator. 
     
     
       11. The trash can assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the dynamic member is configured to transition towards the extended position after release of the actuation force on the actuator. 
     
     
       12. The trash can assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the dynamic member is configured to translate relative to the body of the trash can assembly. 
     
     
       13. A trash can assembly comprising:
 a body comprising an upper sidewall and a lower base; 
 a lid coupled with the body, the lid configured to move between a closed position and an open position; 
 an actuation system comprising an actuator and a linkage, the actuation system configured to rotate the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to an actuation force applied to the actuator; and 
 an active dislodgement or return system comprising a dynamic member coupled to a lower base of the body, the dynamic member comprising a foot and a biasing member, the biasing member applying a force on the foot to urge the foot into an extended position, 
 the dynamic member being rotatable, relative to the body, from a retracted position to the extended position to facilitate dislodging the body from a surrounding environment. 
 
     
     
       14. The trash can assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the dynamic member is configured to transition towards the extended position after release of the actuation force on the actuator to move the body relative to the surrounding environment. 
     
     
       15. The trash can assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the dynamic member comprises a spring. 
     
     
       16. A trash can assembly comprising:
 a body comprising an upper sidewall and a lower base; 
 a lid coupled with the body, the lid configured to move between a closed position and an open position; 
 an actuation system comprising an actuator and a linkage, the actuation system configured to rotate the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to an actuation force applied to the actuator; and 
 an active dislodgement or return system comprising a dynamic member coupled to a lower base of the body, 
 the dynamic member being rotatable, relative to the body, from a retracted position to an extended position to facilitate dislodging the body from a surrounding environment, the dynamic member being configured to transition towards the extended position after release of the actuation force on the actuator. 
 
     
     
       17. The trash can assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the dynamic member comprises a foot and a biasing member, the biasing member applying a force on the foot to urge the foot into the extended position. 
     
     
       18. The trash can assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the foot is configured to engage a floor of the surrounding environment in the extended position. 
     
     
       19. The trash can assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the foot is configured to engage a floor of the surrounding environment in the retracted position. 
     
     
       20. A trash can assembly comprising:
 a body comprising an upper sidewall and a lower base; 
 a lid coupled with the body, the lid configured to move between a closed position and an open position; 
 an actuation system comprising an actuator and a linkage, the actuation system configured to rotate the lid from the closed position to the open position in response to an actuation force applied to the actuator; and 
 an active dislodgement or return system comprising a dynamic member coupled to a lower base of the body, 
 the dynamic member being rotatable, relative to the body, from a retracted position to an extended position to facilitate dislodging the body from a surrounding environment, 
 the dynamic member further being translatable, relative to the body.